Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1196. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if JobPath will be coming to an end soon; if so, the date it be will be finishing; if she plans to replace the scheme with another scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20439/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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JobPath provides employment assistance and advice to the long-term unemployed on behalf of my Department.

On 22 October 2020, I announced an extension of referrals to the JobPath service for a further twelve months until the end of 2021. There will be a run out period for the contract after new referrals have ceased. At that time I also announced similar extensions to the Local Employment Services, Job Clubs and EmployAbility to ensure their services extended into 2021. These measures were taken in order to ensure the Public Employment Service had sufficient capacity to support those impacted by the pandemic with access to employment services during 2021. In light of these circumstances, it was deemed prudent to not only retain, but to expand, the existing capacity of our public employment services.

My Department is continuing to examine procurement options for the provision of all contracted employment services to ensure that the Public Employment Service has sufficient capacity in 2022 to support all those who need our assistance and help in securing new employment.

I trust that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.